Dell Inspiron Keyboard Error

i get a keyboard error at bootup on a dell inspiron desktop using windows 7. it boots automatically into recovery mode, prompting a choice of booting up normally or beginning the recovery process. but i have no keyboard functionality to make a selection with. pulled CMOS, but that only prompts you to strike f1 or f2 to enter start up. i even tried a bootup cd as a last ditch effort.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

if i were to install a PS2 PCI card or even an old serial PCI card and get an old serial mouse, would that give me a working keyboard in windows 7?

You could try a PS2 setup but that is very old now. Have you tried a USB keyboard and USB Mouse?

Shut down, start up and press F1 right away to get into BIOS. Can you do this. And if you do, does your keyboard work?

You could try a PS2 setup but that is very old now. Have you tried a USB keyboard and USB Mouse?

Shut down, start up and press F1 right away to get into BIOS. Can you do this. And if you do, does your keyboard work?

Serial mice are unlikely to work, they are usually nor supported by newer OS's. But a PS2 card should work. What connections does your PC have currently? PS2? PS2 ports can break when you connect or disconnect keyboards or mice during operation. Have you tried another keyboard? What about a USB keyboard?

If your current problem is with a USB keyboard, have you tried connecting it to other USB ports? Many mainboards only support keyboards and mice on certain USB ports.

If your problem is with a PS2 keyboard, check the mainboard's jumpers, some have one such jumper to enable or disable the PS2 ports.

the keyboard is not the issue.

No PS2 ports. Just USB. Hence the PCI card theory.

Can you start BIOS? You may have a motherboard problem.

in order to start BIOS, i would need to strike a key on the keyboard. already pulled the CMOS battery, which prompted me to enter BIOS. but again, it requires me striking f1 or f2. no keyboard response.